Sheet product dispensers and related methods for reducing sheet product usage

Abstract

A resistance mechanism for a sheet product dispenser for dispensing a length of sheet product from a roll of sheet product rotatably supported by the sheet product dispenser is provided. The resistance mechanism includes an arm configured to frictionally engage a surface of the roll of sheet product, and a spring attached to the arm and configured to bias the arm into engagement with the surface of the roll of sheet product, such that the resistance mechanism provides a pull force resistance opposing a pull force applied to a tail portion of the roll of sheet product.

We claim: 
     
       1. A resistance mechanism for a sheet product dispenser for dispensing a length of sheet product from a roll of sheet product rotatably supported by the sheet product dispenser, the resistance mechanism comprising:
 an arm configured to frictionally engage a surface of the roll of sheet product; and 
 a spring attached to the arm and configured to bias the arm into engagement with the surface of the roll of sheet product, such that the resistance mechanism provides a pull force resistance opposing a pull force applied to a tail portion of the roll of sheet product, 
 wherein the pull force resistance is between 36 grams-force and 96 grams-force throughout a majority of a life of the roll of sheet product. 
 
     
     
       2. The resistance mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the pull force resistance is between 46 grams-force and 86 grams-force throughout a majority of the life of the roll of sheet product. 
     
     
       3. The resistance mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the pull force resistance is between 56 grams-force and 76 grams-force throughout a majority of the life of the roll of sheet product. 
     
     
       4. The resistance mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the pull force resistance is between 36 grams-force and 96 grams-force throughout the life of the roll of sheet product. 
     
     
       5. The resistance mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the pull force resistance is between 46 grams-force and 86 grams-force throughout the life of the roll of sheet product. 
     
     
       6. The resistance mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the pull force resistance is between 56 grams-force and 76 grams-force throughout the life of the roll of sheet product. 
     
     
       7. The resistance mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the roll of sheet product is coreless. 
     
     
       8. The resistance mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet product comprises bath tissue. 
     
     
       9. The resistance mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the pull force resistance is substantially constant throughout the life of the roll of sheet product. 
     
     
       10. The resistance mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the pull force resistance varies by less than 30 grams-force throughout a majority of the life of the roll of sheet product. 
     
     
       11. The resistance mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the pull force resistance varies by less than 15 grams-force throughout a majority of the life of the roll of sheet product. 
     
     
       12. A sheet product dispenser comprising:
 a housing; 
 a roll support mechanism configured to rotatably support a roll of sheet product within the housing; and 
 the resistance mechanism of  claim 1 . 
 
     
     
       13. A sheet product dispenser for dispensing a length of sheet product from a roll of sheet product, the sheet product dispenser comprising:
 a roll support mechanism configured to rotatably support the roll of sheet product for dispensing sheet product therefrom via a pull force applied by a user to a tail portion of the roll of sheet product and to provide a first pull force resistance opposing the pull force applied by the user; and 
 a resistance mechanism configured to engage a portion of the roll of sheet product and to provide a second pull force resistance opposing the pull force applied by the user; 
 wherein a sum of the first pull force resistance and the second pull force resistance is substantially constant throughout a majority of a life of the roll of sheet product, and 
 wherein the resistance mechanism comprises:
 an arm configured to frictionally engage a surface of the roll of sheet product; and 
 a spring attached to the arm and configured to bias the arm into engagement with the surface of the roll of sheet product, such that the resistance mechanism provides the first pull force resistance. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The sheet product dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the arm is formed as an elongated member comprising a base end, a free end, a front side, and a back side, wherein the arm is configured to be pivotally connected to a housing of the sheet product dispenser at or near the base end, and wherein the free end is configured to move freely as the arm pivots relative to the housing. 
     
     
       15. The sheet product dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the front side of the arm comprises a flat and smooth engagement surface configured to frictionally engage the surface of the roll of sheet product, wherein the arm comprises one or more tabs positioned at or near the base end of the arm and configured to limit pivotal movement of the arm relative to the housing of the sheet product dispenser, wherein the one or more tabs comprise an engagement surface configured to engage the housing of the sheet product dispenser to limit pivotal movement of the arm, and wherein the engagement surface of the one or more tabs is a flat surface angled relative to the flat and smooth engagement surface of the front side of the arm. 
     
     
       16. The sheet product dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the arm comprises a plurality of ribs positioned closer to the base end than the free end of the arm, and wherein the plurality of ribs is configured to resist bending of the arm when the arm is biased into engagement with the roll of sheet product. 
     
     
       17. The sheet product dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the arm comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion positioned at or near the base end of the arm and configured to pivotally connect the arm to the housing of the sheet product dispenser, wherein the spring is attached to the arm via the first protrusion and the second protrusion, wherein the spring is a torsion spring comprising a coiled portion, a first spring arm positioned at a first end of the coiled portion, and a second spring arm positioned at a second end of the coiled portion, and wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion each comprise an inner portion received at least partially within the coiled portion. 
     
     
       18. The sheet product dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the arm further comprises a recess, and wherein the first spring arm of the spring is received at least partially within the recess. 
     
     
       19. The sheet product dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the arm further comprises a hook configured to receive a portion of the second spring arm therein when the second spring arm is moved from an attachment position to an installation position relative to the arm, wherein the arm further comprises an aperture positioned between the hook and the base end of the arm and extending from the back side to the front side of the arm, and wherein the aperture is configured to allow a tool to be inserted therethrough to move the second spring arm out of the hook. 
     
     
       20. The sheet product dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the sum of the first pull force resistance and the second pull force resistance is between 36 grams-force and 96 grams-force throughout a majority of a life of the roll of sheet product.